A stranger’s life hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.

The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis still heavily occupy the Netherlands. After the losses she’s endured, Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. Her main objective is protecting her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.

But when Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia’s doorstep, their lives are forever altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man, Cornelia’s faith won’t let her turn him out.

As she nurses Gerrit back to health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift within herself. The thought of opening her heart, however, is almost more terrifying than the thought of losing her life.

But Gerrit’s intensity challenges her, making her want to live fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.

She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the landscape slowly thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true love? She fears their story might end before it has even begun.

Contributor(s)

Liz Tolsma

About the Contributor(s)

Liz TolsmaLiz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her
life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two
daughters. Her son proudly serves as a US Marine. All of their children have
been adopted internationally and one has special needs. When not busy putting
words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial
garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.

ISBN-10

1401689108

ISBN-13

9781401689100

Release Date

Aug 6, 2013

Weight (lbs)

0.7000

Height

8.3

Width

5.4

Length

336

Length Unit

Pages

Publisher

Thomas Nelson

Price

$15.99

Format

Paperback

Language

English

Customer Reviews

Review by Barbara

Rating

“Snow on the Tulips” by Liz Tolsma is historical fiction based on the true story of the author’s family who lived in Friesland, Netherlands during the Nazi occupation during 1940 to 1945. It is the story of the people who lived under the oppressive rule of the Germans during the war. Garrit Laninga was supposed to be shot by the Gestapo in February 1945 for being a part of the Dutch Resistance, but the soldier did not kill him. Garrit played dead until the execution team left the dead on the bank of the canal. Then he sought help in one of the houses across the canal. Johan and his sister Cornelia de Vries were hiding too. Cornelia lost her husband on the first day of the blitzkrieg into the Netherlands. She is determined that her brother will not be conscripted to work for the Germans or the Resistance for fear that he would never return home. What follows is a story of fear, faith and courage that the citizens of the Friesland villages and the members of the Dutch Resistance lived during the Nazi occupation.

I found this book to be a riveting fictional account of the lives of collaborators and regular citizen and desperation that they must have felt during the Nazi regime. I kept wondering if I could have been as selfless and courageous at these individuals who helped hide Jews, American airmen, and men from seventeen to forty-five who were being rounded up to work for the Germans. These men hid for years in attics, under houses, barns, anywhere to keep from being taken by the Nazis. This book may be a work of fiction, but I felt the reality of the situations as though I was there. I marvel at the courage and perseverance of the men and women who lived during this time and their struggles to stay alive yet help their country rid itself of the occupiers.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book in return for my honest review from Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley.com.

You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-8D, on GoodReads.com at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/756204909 and on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/review/R2NMUTX1DHZTU2.(Posted on 1/29/15)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
--Psalm 46:1-3

Cornelia de Vries. I am reminded of Anne Frank and Corrie ten Boom. Hidden and hider. Concealed and concealer. It is February of 1945 in the provence of Friesland, Netherlands. Her brother Johan has just brought home a wounded resister left for dead. Do they dare being found out or supported together within their home? Where do you draw the line? Hunted or hunter? Secrets. Their sister, Anki Dykstra, comes to cleanse and tend to his shoulder wound.

How do you tend to your daily chores, to appear normal in your activities? Sweeping the porch, beginning your laundry? Nothing new, you must appear as usual. Neighbors, countrymen, no one must suspect something different at her dwelling. No one must know her brother Johan is there either. Will it seem odd to add additional groceries to your already meager offerings? Suspicious?

What about your neighbors? Sheltering someone(s) puts pressure on them. And you... you realize why their home is being searched and their son(s) taken.

In the days before the war, her family would gather for a big dinner each Sunday, with a roast and mashed potatoes. The smell would make her mouth water. If a person could travel backward, she would return to those times and cherish them.
--Snow on the Tulips, 75

Times had changed; her family had changed. But not our God:

"God's fingerprints are over everything that is happening."
--Ibid., 76

How good is our God in all generations. Join this family as He holds it all together in His perfect timing. He is indeed our Deliverer.

John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

We Gather Together
~Public Domain~

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

Author Liz Tolsma
This story is told in remembrance of Liz Tolsma's family lineage. The book was written to preserve the stories of many who labored and gave their lives without fanfare so this generation could enjoy freedom. May we treasure it.
--Liz Tolsma

Snow on Tulips releases today, August 6, 2013.

***Thank you to BookSneeze for sending me a copy of Liz Tolsma's novel, Snow on the Tulips. This review is in my own words. No other compensation was received.*** (Posted on 8/6/13)